A: Milton, congratulations on your pending retirement. I find it admirable that after many years of hard work you are thinking about starting a business. While most men your age would be content to sit on the porch and watch the world go by, you are considering a ride on the entrepreneurial roller coaster. You're certainly tall enough to ride this ride, but are you too old?
Here's my standard answer: It depends. It depends on your health, your energy, your drive, your goals, and of course, your finances. If all those are in good shape and you have your spouse's approval (that's a biggie), then there is absolutely no reason why you should not start a business at your age.
In fact, the numbers are actually in your favor. According to recent studies 22 percent of men and 14 percent of women over 65 are self-employed. That's compared to just 7 percent for other age groups.
According to a Vanderbilt University study the number of entrepreneurs age 45 to 64 will grow by 15 million by 2006.
That's compared to a 4 million decline for entrepreneurs age 25 to 44.
A 1998 survey of baby boomers conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) revealed that 80 percent of respondants planned to work beyond retirement age, and 17 percent of those planned to launch new businesses.
The study noted, "Self-employment among American workers increases with age, with the most dramatic jump occurring at age 65."
Older entrepreneurs may also find starting a business easier than their younger counterparts because older entrepreneurs tend to have more experience to draw from and more assets with which to finance a business.
Further evidence comes from a report released by Barclays Bank entitled Third Age Entrepreneurs - Profiting From Experience. The report shows that older entrepreneurs are responsible for 50 percent more business start-ups than 10 years ago. This amounts to around 60,000 business start-ups last year alone.
The survey also showed that today's third age entrepreneurs (as the report calls entrepreneurs over the age of 50) don't mind putting in the hours required to build their business. Nearly 49 percent work an average of 36 hours or more a week.
Third agers also rated holidays, lack of stress and a balance between work and home life more important than their younger counterparts.
The report further showed that only 27 percent run the business as the only source of household income, with 51 percent supplementing their pension.
Other key findings showed that third age start-ups account for 15 percent of all new businesses, and third age entrepreneurs are three times more likely to be male than female. There is a downside (isn't there always?). Many businesses fail within the first few years and older entrepreneurs may be less able to handle the financial loss than younger entrepreneurs.
It's one thing to lose everything at 25, but it's a much bigger deal to be financially ruined at 65.
So my advice, Milton, is that if your health and finances allow (and the Mrs. gives the green light) by all means start your business.
Climb on the entrepreneurial roller coaster and hang on tight.
You get the senior discount, by the way.
Just try not to lose your lunch when things get bumpy and you'll probably do just fine.
...the seniors - the "old guys'" - division starts at about age 30!
Now, I don't know about you, but at forty-four, I don't feel much like a senior. But, I have to ask myself, how can it be in Today's world that modern martial artists are considered to be too old to compete against a younger opponent when in ancient Japan, China, and Korea...
...that was the norm?!
Even from a self-defense perspective, who is more likely to be the victim of a criminal attacker; someone middle-aged, in their thirties or fourties, who's slower and less fit, with money and credit cards in their wallet...
...or a young buck who's super-fit and probably broke before his or her next payday?
Just doesn't make sense. Unless, it has less to do with the age factor than the effect that the training has on the student's body as they get older.
The fact is that, most of the conventional martial arts practices and training methods are detrimental to the long-term health and well-being of the person practicing them. And, in an attempt to look cool, feel powerful, and be confident...
...many martial artists are simply wearing themselves out at an early age.
Contrast this with the ancient master warriors who had to be effective every day of their lives. There was no retirement. Especially during times like Japan's Sengoku Jidai "warrior-states" period, where personal and clan battles were a constant reality, a warrior had to insure that his body was not only healthy, but actually improving in his ability to survive to fight another day.
The common image of the warrior-master of ancient times is one of an old man with capabilities that far surpassed those much younger. His skills almost bordered on "magical." And, even though modern martial arts students epitomize this image, few question why the modern training methods, stances, and methods for striking and kicking leave them wearing joint braces, recovering from surgery, or taking pain killers and anti-inflammatories.
Perhaps it would help if we explored the concept of being "effective" from the perspective of the warrior mindset.
"Effective" in the warrior's mind means much more than having the ability to put your enemy down. It means doing what you must do in a way that produces the greatest effect with the least amount of wear-and-tear on you.
Think about it. If you put your attacker down and find yourself in pain yourself (on the inside or out), then you are not applying natural principles and correct body mechanics and movement dynamics.
Can you imagine having to hold a sword over your head, or in any position for that matter, for an hour or more? Could you imagine, let alone do it yourself, sparring with your assailant for three hours instead of the conventional two minutes of the modern tournament bout?
Can you?
The warrior studies every aspect of movement and placement of the human body to find the most natural way to do things. To him or her, it's not about style or conforming to a preset method as much as it is about...
...finding the method that will allow for power, strength, and speed without tearing the body down in the process.
Everything from sitting properly, to walking, punching, sword drawing, kicking...
...in fact, every aspect of movement that he or she will routinely engage in...
...is explored to find THE method that will build the body rather than leave it weak and useless with age.
This philosophy is embodied by the traditional Ninja motto: "Ninpo-Ikkan!" This single, simple phrase means:
"The way of the Ninja is the Way of Naturalness."
So, instead of engaging in months or even years of practice that requires that the body be placed into positions that arch the back or thrust the hips forward - that lock the knees back with the toes jutting straight up, or a myriad of other equally debilitating habits...
...the warrior finds the best position to create the results needed with no unnecessary wear and tear. In short... The warrior gets better with age instead of the norm for our society where middle age has become the new old age - with the only exception that Today's "old folks" have a longer wait for death.
Take a look at the way you practice. If you experience pulling, tearing, or discomfort during your training, it may be a sign of things to come. And while you may not damage yourself today, months or years of repeating the same thing again and again, will take it's toll.
And then, one day, you will be doing something and experience real pain and real damage. You will probably assume that you must have done something wrong "that" time, when in reality it has been a long time coming.
Don't be your own worst enemy. Study what it means to be "effective" from the warrior's perspective. Then, instead of being a thirty or forty-something "has-been," you'll be running circles around people half your age!
Both Tim-knox & Jeffrey Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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